11 ways to avoid hurricane damage

Dodge expensive hurricane damage

The tremendous power of a hurricane can turn a home inside out and leave it in ruins. But you can minimize the potential for damage, cut the cost of your home insurance now and save on repairs later with the help of many readily available home improvement products.

And you want to get to work before it's too late.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, is predicting eight to 13 named storms during the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season. Three to six of those storms could become hurricanes, including one or two major hurricanes with winds in excess of 110 mph.

Bracing your home for what the season might bring doesn't have to be expensive.

"Homeowners may get discounts for things such as hurricane shutters, various types of roof coverings and the way the roof is attached to the structure," says Claire Wilkinson, a blogger for the trade group the Insurance Information Institute.

"There are a lot of things you can do (to your home) that are meaningful, affordable and make a difference," adds Leslie Chapman-Henderson, president and CEO of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, or FLASH.

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